Kyle Dubas discussion

[57 Years No Cup]

It never got that far, but listening to Fleury talk after being traded it was clearly very important to him he wasn’t moved very far from where he was. For his family

"Moved very far from (where I am)" is code for "I don't wanna play in Canada".

Hmmm.... I wonder why so many NHL PLAYERS don't wanna pay here?

 

[2 Slick]

He should've picked a direction at the trade deadline. All-in or all-out. Instead he was somewhere in the middle and made a few depth additions that aren't going to move the needle all that much, especially considering our division rivals all made better additions on paper.

I agree. 14 out of Campbell's last 22 starts have been sub .900%. In a little more than half of those games, he's given up 4+ goals.

Campbell had a .845% in March, .894% in February, .880% in January, .909% in December.

We aren't talking a mini-slump here, this is who is going to be getting the bulk, if not all of the games in the playoffs.

Petr Mrazek:

March: .852%, 4.86 GAA
February: .887%, 3.23 GAA
December: .886%, 4.00 GAA
October: .877%, 4.20 GAA

Call me skeptical, but I don't see the Leafs getting past the first round with goaltending of that caliber. There's just no chance.

I don't see Campbell or Mrazek magically turning back into ;910%+ out of nowhere. Hell, even average goaltending would be a godsend at this point.

 

[supermann_98]

If Dubas does not get the Leafs a bonafide starter, Dubas will be shown his walking papers at seasons end.

Truth be told, I think Dubas is done anyway. A first round exit is going to happen no matter who we play between Tampa and Florida. The only chance Leafs have is if they go on a run and end up playing Boston. They don't look that dangerous this year.

But as far as I am concerned Dubas is playing with borrowed time. I don't see a way out for him.

This will be his last season as GM. Send him back to the O. He has proven he can't hang with the big boys and the agents have bent him over a few times.

Stranger things have happened in the playoffs than a top 5-6 team like the Leafs going on a bender and getting to the finals and even winning, but Dubas really rolled the dice on his career as Leafs GM on:
A) inconsistent or inexperienced goaltending
B) Matthews and Marner scoring like animals in the playoffs

All we need is a .909sv% from our goaltending and regular seasons scoring averages from Marner and Matthews in the playoffs and we could beat any team, but Dubas bet his career on those things in the toughest division in hockey ... by far the toughest division. We'll see if the players got his back like he had theirs

 

[Canadian Finn]

I suspect nothing will change after we get bounced from the first round .... again.

same coach, gm, and pres next year.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Any another Leaf GM who is feeling the heat for his job, would have probably done a Fleury Hagel for Mrazek Knies +1st deal.

Got to respect the balls on Dubas for holding onto key Leafs assets.

 

[supermann_98]

Only way that happens is if we win a round imho.

While I agree I also think Shanny will give him one more year to make amends via HUGE trade (Marner or Nylander) for cheaper and possibly even younger assets.

That's assuming Shanny has any say by that point of course, because if they're out again in the 1st round without some nice comfy $$$$$ playoff revenue ..... I can guarantee there will be members of the MLSE board calling for his head on a platter

 

[Tak7]

I don’t understand why anyone thinks that? Recall this year’s exit and it was an open question, the drum would beat so loud I can’t see him surviving. You can’t keep losing first rounds year after year and keep the general. This season is it for the core in this iteration, the GM, the coach and Shanny. MLSE will clean house if we go out again imho.

Because we haven't been given any suggestion to think otherwise.

After last year's loss, the noise from the fans was excessive, but within and internally it appeared very quiet. We didn't hear about many tough questions being asked of MLSE about Shanahan, Dubas, and their spending.
We didn't hear any hints or whispers of this being a make-it-or-break it year for Kyle.
We certainly haven't heard anything to suggest that MLSE are ready to "clean house".
If any of those things actually existed, I'd agree with you and say you have a point.
But as of now, not a single one of them is true or applicable.
When you consider how many people cover this team or are close to this team, let's face it - if MLSE were sharpening the knives, we'd have been given some sort of suggestion or hint by now.
The fact that we haven't, is why I believe he's going to be fine assuming they don't get embarrassed.
The one thing we can say about this Maple Leafs front office - they have become very good at blocking out the noise & distraction of the marketplace and just focusing on what needs to be done. Even if fans are enraged by another R1 loss, I don't think that's enough to move the needle unless the media really gets involved.

 

[Tak7]

While I agree I also think Shanny will give him one more year to make amends via HUGE trade (Marner or Nylander) for cheaper and possibly even younger assets.

That's assuming Shanny has any say by that point of course, because if they're out again in the 1st round without some nice comfy $$$$$ playoff revenue ..... I can guarantee there will be members of the MLSE board calling for his head on a platter

Agreed.
It'll be a "lose your core, or lose your job" scenario.

 

[Cleetus]

Just win the cup!

 

[Nylanderthal]

I don’t understand why anyone thinks that? Recall this year’s exit and it was an open question, the drum would beat so loud I can’t see him surviving. You can’t keep losing first rounds year after year and keep the general. This season is it for the core in this iteration, the GM, the coach and Shanny. MLSE will clean house if we go out again imho.

Who’s drum? A few people here who have been on that train since he got the job over their boy marky mark? I’m pretty sure there would be a lot of noise about that in the media, but there really isn’t anything out there.
GM’s usually get a few bullets, one being the coach (check) and one being significant roster upheaval shaking up the core.
Who’s to say who’s decision that was coming off last year’s disaster? Conventional wisdom would indicate that this group gets an opportunity to shake up the core first.

 

[Leaf Fans]

"Moved very far from (where I am)" is code for "I don't wanna play in Canada".

Hmmm.... I wonder why so many NHL PLAYERS don't wanna pay here?

There are a lot more teams in the US, so more opportunities for players. For MAF, he wanted to stay close to his family. You just made up the code part.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I suspect nothing will change after we get bounced from the first round .... again.

same coach, gm, and pres next year.

Half the teams that make the playoffs, go out in the first round. It is not as if anyone knows which ones they will be.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Half the teams that make the playoffs, go out in the first round. It is not as if anyone knows which ones they will be.

I can guess 1 of them.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I can guess 1 of them.

You can try to guess all of them if you want. Enjoy.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

I suspect nothing will change after we get bounced from the first round .... again.

same coach, gm, and pres next year.

The excuses are already being parroted.

“We’re in the toughest division in hockey! Leave Kyle alone! ”

 

[Menzinger]

The goalie tdl decision may end up being one of the most controversial of his career as Leafs GM and certainly opens it up for counterfactuals. That said, it wasn't as if quality goalies we're actually available.

His direct call-out of the Hawks GM was pretty interesting. Davidson being new on the job himself isn't going to make many friends among GMs being a leaky ship with the media. Rare thing to see a GM take a public criticism like that

 

[All Mod Cons]

I suspect nothing will change after we get bounced from the first round .... again.

same coach, gm, and pres next year.

1 more year. 1 more year. 1 more year.

 

[ALine]

Any another Leaf GM who is feeling the heat for his job, would have probably done a Fleury Hagel for Mrazek Knies +1st deal.

Got to respect the balls on Dubas for holding onto key Leafs assets.

I agree. Good non trade.
The moment any Gm makes moves like he isn’t going to be around for another 5 years is the moment he should be fired.
Whether it’s Dubas or someone else, leafs are set up nicely for a way of prospects and young roster players to start making a big impact going forward.

 

[Menzinger]

Because we haven't been given any suggestion to think otherwise.

After last year's loss, the noise from the fans was excessive, but within and internally it appeared very quiet. We didn't hear about many tough questions being asked of MLSE about Shanahan, Dubas, and their spending.
We didn't hear any hints or whispers of this being a make-it-or-break it year for Kyle.
We certainly haven't heard anything to suggest that MLSE are ready to "clean house".
If any of those things actually existed, I'd agree with you and say you have a point.
But as of now, not a single one of them is true or applicable.
When you consider how many people cover this team or are close to this team, let's face it - if MLSE were sharpening the knives, we'd have been given some sort of suggestion or hint by now.
The fact that we haven't, is why I believe he's going to be fine assuming they don't get embarrassed.
The one thing we can say about this Maple Leafs front office - they have become very good at blocking out the noise & distraction of the marketplace and just focusing on what needs to be done. Even if fans are enraged by another R1 loss, I don't think that's enough to move the needle unless the media really gets involved.

Yep.

I mentioned it earlier but regardless of how folks on these boards may feel about the front office the only way I think they get fired is if the Leafs get swept or lose in 5 games.

If they take it to game 7 yet again and lose they'll probably get marching orders to shake up the core. If the Leafs advance to the 2nd round I don't think the core is touched at a.

 

[Ciao]

I know this is kind of a novel approach, but I think I might wait for the
Leafs to actually play a few playoff games before I try to figure out how well they'll do in the playoffs.

It's like a whole new season where there are always some surprises.

 

[Ciao]

"Moved very far from (where I am)" is code for "I don't wanna play in Canada".

Hmmm.... I wonder why so many NHL PLAYERS don't wanna pay here?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Are you thinking it's because of Kyle Dubas? I get the feeling he's at fault for pretty much everything these days anyway.

 

[Stephen]

Dubas made his bet on this core group going into this season, making adds to supplement the core group in the summer instead of opting for a more dramatic reconstruction. Without re-litigating that choice, the team has been very good throughout most of the season but has hit a very rough patch of goaltending and sprung some leaks where it comes to decline and injury to a few of the middle class players. Strictly in terms of momentum, we don't look like we're gearing up quite like Colorado, Florida.

That said, Lyubushkin, Girodano and Blackwell is a decent upgrade, but short of the impossible of literally retooling the team in-season the trade market wasn't going to ever give you the changes needed to look better on paper than Florida and Tampa. If there is a solution, it's already in the room. And when we evaluate Florida and Tampa we also have to be careful not to get carried away with overhyping the sizzle either, because those deals might not work out there. Those teams might run into massive injuries (Ekblad), and you eventually have the play the games for real.

 

[Stephen]

"Moved very far from (where I am)" is code for "I don't wanna play in Canada".

Hmmm.... I wonder why so many NHL PLAYERS don't wanna pay here?

Why on earth would the Toronto market ever need validation from Marc-Andre Fleury as a destination or desirable place for impact players to go? Didn't former Norris Trophy winning Mark Giordano just call his shot and ask for Toronto on Sunday afternoon?

 

[Leaf Fans]

The excuses are already being parroted.

“We’re in the toughest division in hockey! Leave Kyle alone! ”

While it is true that we are in the toughest division in hockey, the second part is made up. Besides, it is good to be in the toughest division.

 

[Gallagbi]

The goalie tdl decision may end up being one of the most controversial of his career as Leafs GM and certainly opens it up for counterfactuals. That said, it wasn't as if quality goalies we're actually available.

His direct call-out of the Hawks GM was pretty interesting. Davidson being new on the job himself isn't going to make many friends among GMs being a leaky ship with the media. Rare thing to see a GM take a public criticism like that

I missed the call out, what did he say?